Chapter 275 - 37: No, You Are Not Du Wei, You Are Chen Ye

Chapter 275: Chapter 37: No, You Are Not Du Wei, You Are Chen Ye

Chen Ye was quite satisfied with this upgrade.

His Slaying Blade Asura had reached Level 3, and his Star River Qi Refining Technique was now Level 2. This signified a huge leap forward in both his direct combat prowess and the efficiency of his meditative Cultivation.

At the same time, Chen Ye knew that he owed his rapid progress to this land.

There weren’t all the chaotic, turbid energies of the outside world here in the mountains, which allowed his connection to the stars to become much clearer. Furthermore, his daily diet consisted of either mountain delicacies and wild game or Spiritual Spring Water, which unknowingly nourished his physical body, making it increasingly sturdy.

This feeling of growing stronger every day was truly intoxicating.

But just as Chen Ye was engrossed in his Cultivation, on that very day, several brilliant streaks of Sword Light pierced the clouds in the sky dozens of miles north of Kawa Village, speeding toward the Southern Wilderness Mountain Range.

The one in the lead was none other than Jian Wuchen, the Young Manor Master of Celestial Sword Manor.

He was accompanied by only four disciples, all of whom were renowned within the manor for their calm and capable demeanor.

Jian Wuchen’s face no longer showed the irritability and anger of the past few days. In its place was a deliberately forced calm, but the gloom that occasionally flashed in his eyes betrayed his inner resentment and indignation.

"Young Manor Master, ahead is the territory of the mountain folk," a disciple said, pointing to the vast, rolling mountain range below.

Jian Wuchen nodded silently, merely urging his Flying Sword to descend.

The closer he got, the more he could feel an invisible pressure. It wasn’t the oppressive aura of a Cultivator, but the profound, heavy presence of the mountain range itself.

Jian Wuchen even felt the circulation of his True Essence become sluggish.

’Just as the Elder said, this place is strange,’ he thought.

Jian Wuchen knew this mountain range was the home turf of the mountain folk and their patron Mountain God. It was only natural that he would feel suppressed after entering their domain.

"Listen up! Once we land, you follow my lead in everything. Without my command, no one is to say a single word or make a single unnecessary move!"

"Yes, Young Manor Master!" the four disciples responded in unison.

They finally landed their Flying Swords on a relatively gentle mountainside.

In the distance, the silhouette of a massive mountain fortress appeared and disappeared within the mist—it was Kawa Village.

Jian Wuchen’s eyes flickered as he gazed at the rustic fortress, which seemed to blend into the stone of the mountain itself. After straightening his robes, he forced a friendly smile onto his face and strode forward.

He had just stepped into the forest surrounding Kawa Village and hadn’t gone more than a few dozen yards when a long, clear horn blast suddenly echoed from the direction of the fortress.

WOOOO—WOOOO—

The sound of the horn pierced the vast forest, carrying a primal, rugged warning as it echoed through the mountains.

Birds scattered in fright, and the once-tranquil forest instantly erupted into a commotion.

Jian Wuchen stopped in his tracks, his brow furrowed.

’Such a quick response. Such tight security.’

They had deliberately concealed their auras and moved with extreme caution, yet they had been discovered almost instantly. ’It seems the reputation of these Southern Wilderness mountain folk is well-deserved.’

「Meanwhile, inside Kawa Village.」

Upon hearing the horn, the villagers, who had all been busy with their own tasks, dropped what they were doing by pure reflex.

The men immediately rushed into their homes to grab the bows, Long Spears, and machetes hanging on their walls.

The women quickly herded the children indoors, then stood guard at their doors with wooden clubs, their faces full of fierce courage.

In the span of a few dozen breaths, the entire village had transformed from a scene of peace into a heavily guarded fortress.

Chen Ye, who was in his room contemplating his Saber Technique, naturally heard the horn as well.

But before he could even get up, the door was pushed open from the outside. Shan’s tall figure appeared in the doorway, his expression unprecedentedly grim.

"Chen Yuan, you have to stay in your room! Don’t come out!" Shan urged, speaking rapidly. "No matter what happens outside, don’t show your face. These are the Old Chieftain’s orders!"

Chen Ye was taken aback but didn’t ask questions. He simply nodded. "I understand. You all be careful."

He wasn’t a fool; he understood that the Old Chieftain was protecting him.

Shan breathed a sigh of relief at his prompt agreement. He turned and strode away, joining the ranks of armed, grim-faced warriors gathered at the village gate.

Chen Ye walked to the window and peeked out through a crack.

He could feel a murderous aura gathering at the village gate. When faced with an outside threat, the dauntless, ferocious spirit of these normally simple and honest villagers was completely unleashed.

...

Before the massive log gate of Kawa Village.

The Old Chieftain stood at the very front, leaning on his black Wooden Staff.

Behind him stood Niu, Gui Gong, and other core members of the village. Further back were nearly a hundred Kawa warriors, armed and grim-faced.

They stood in silence, staring at the five uninvited guests who were slowly emerging from the forest.

Jian Wuchen’s eyelid twitched as he took in the scene before him.

He could sense a bizarrely powerful aura emanating from the mountain folk opposite him, and he was secretly shaken.

Forcibly suppressing his unease, he put on what he considered his most amiable smile. He then took a few steps forward and cupped his fists at the Old Chieftain.

"I am Jian Wuchen of Celestial Sword Manor. Greetings, Elder." His voice was clear and his attitude was deferential. "We mean no harm. We are merely passing through by chance while tracking a fugitive. I apologize for the disturbance and hope you can forgive us."